I. ˈchəf noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English chuffe, choffe
1. : boor , churl
coarse country chuffs
2. : miser
II. ˈchəf, -u̇f adjective
( -er/-est )
dialect : surly , sullen
III. adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: perhaps from chuff (I)
1. dialect Britain : plump
2. dialect England
a. : happy
b. : proud , conceited
IV. ˈchəf noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
: a brick cracked by rain during burning
V. noun
( -s )
Etymology: imitative
: a sound made by or suggestive of noisy exhaust or exhalation ; typically : the sound of a steam engine
the engine giving off quiet chuffs like a giant breathing — Helen Eustis
VI. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to make chuffs : emit noisy exhaust or exhalations : proceed or operate with chuffs
the chuffing and snorting of switch engines — Paul Gallico
the ferryboat chuffed across the wide river — Walter Havighurst